DIVE QUALIFICATION NEEDED

Best time of year: Although we conduct trips from mid-January through mid-September. The best & “peak” seasons where there is more “action” is from mid-May to mid-September. If from mid-January to mid-May there is no shark action, we will not run trips out of Simon’s Town, and we will endeavour to change the location to Gansbaai. Should this be necessary, additional charges may apply.

Please note, the Great White Sharks have not read this timetable and have no idea where they are meant to be and when!

Simon’s Town offers the shark enthusiast an alternative to Gansbaai – “The White Shark Capital Of The world!” There are currently 8 “licenced” White Shark dive operators operating out of Gansbaai with the smallest boat accommodating 18 to the largest, accommodating 40, with everything in-between. It’s a traffic jam in the morning to see who gets to the dive location first in order to secure the prime position. Something like being on the Lower Ganges! Out of Simon’s Town there are only 3 “licenced” dive operators, resulting in less congestion and a better overall experience. The Simon’s Town dive charters start off by trying to get the Great White’s to breach (Air Jaws) by towing a decoy in the shape of a seal behind the boat. This is done at first light, as early as possible as Great Whites are the apex predators in the ocean, and tend to be active (hunt) early mornings and late afternoons. After trying to induce natural breaching we then drop anchor for a few hours cage diving. Again, as is the case in Gansbaai, the Simon’s Town area of False Bay is also known as the “Cape of Storms”, and for this reason alone it is advisable to spend at much time as possible at sea so as to maximise your time with these magnificent creatures. This itinerary can also be shortened or lengthened according to the client’s requirements.

Also…, you’ve come this far to dive. Why not take advantage of being in Africa and spend 3 days on safari in the world famous Kruger National Park. We have a 2 night / 3 day safari special for all divers travelling with “Dive The Big 5”.

Day 01

2018:

Arrive Cape Town International Airport, own arrangements. On arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met by a representative of Dive The Big 5 for the 1 hour road transfer to Simon’s Town. Rest of the day free. Overnight at The Mariner Guesthouse, in a Superior Room, on a bed and breakfast basis.

Road transfer from Cape Town International Airport to The Mariner Guesthouse in Simon’s Town

Accommodation at The Mariner Guesthouse.

Excluded:

International / domestic air into Cape Town International Airport

Breakfast,Lunch, Dinner

Bar

Items of a personal nature

Gratuities.

Days 02, 03 and 04

2018:

At a time advised the previous evening you will be collected from the Mariner Guesthouse by the Dive operator, normally at 06h00, for the 10 minute road transfer to the dive shop. After signing the indemnities, dive planning and kitting up you will transfer to Simon’s Town small craft harbour to board the boat for Seal Island in False Bay. Dive The Big 5 run two Great White trips per day, weather permitting. One that departs Simon’s Town Harbour at first light and the second trip which departs Simon’s Town Harbour at about 12h00. The early trip is the recommended trip to take as Great White’s, being apex predators, are more active in the early mornings – that’s when they hunt. They are also active in the late afternoons, but because the sun sets so early in Cape Town, by the time the sharks become active and start hunting it’s time to up anchor and head back to Simon’s Town Harbour. The early morning trip is by far the recommended trip to take!

Once in the vicinity of Seal Island, about an hour’s boat ride out of Simon’s Town Harbour, the crew deploy the decoy and troll very slowly just off the island. The decoy, which is cut in the shape of a seal, attracts the Great White’s and this is what causes them to breach. This is done at first light, when the Great Whites are hunting. Once the morning wears on and the activity slows down the boat is anchored off Seal Island and the cage is lowered. The rest of the morning is spent cage diving with the Great White’s. After the morning’s activity you will return to Simon’s Town Harbour to arrive there at 12h00. On arrival at Simon’s Town Harbour, you will be transferred you back to the Mariner Guesthouse. Rest of the afternoon is free. Mariner Guesthouse is very centrally situated on a hill overlooking Simon’s Town Naval Base and is in easy walking distance of excellent restaurants, the Naval Museum, The Toy Museum, the African Jack-ass Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach and the railway station which has regular ½ hour trains to Cape Town city centre. You will find loads to do in the afternoon after your Great White experience. Overnight at the Mariner Guesthouse on a bed and breakfast basis.

Included:

Breakfast

Return road transfer from the Mariner Guesthouse to Simon’s Town Harbour

Morning spent at sea in the vicinity of Seal Island in False Bay watching the Great White’s breach (Air Jaws) and cage diving with the Great White’s, weather permitting

Services of a qualified Dive Master

Full equipment hire

light snacks and refreshments on board

Accommodation at Mariner Guesthouse.

Excluded:

Lunch, dinner, bar

Additional touring in the afternoon; dinner

Bar

Items of a personal nature

Gratuities.

Day 05

2018:

After breakfast you will check out of The Mariner Guesthouse before being transferred to Simon’s Town small craft harbour for your last day in the vicinity of Seal Island trawling for then cage diving and / or surface viewing with the Great White Sharks, weather permitting. After the day’s activity you will transfer back to Cape Town International Airport to connect with your onward flight, own arrangements. End of Services.